FORMER Labour borough councillor Brian Dunnell has died aged 75. He was mayor in 1996 when Stevenage celebrated its half century as a new town. Mr Dunnell (right) moved to Stevenage in 1962 and he and his wife Eva had eight children. He was first elected

FORMER Labour borough councillor Brian Dunnell has died aged 75.

He was mayor in 1996 when Stevenage celebrated its half century as a new town.

Mr Dunnell (right) moved to Stevenage in 1962 and he and his wife Eva had eight children. He was first elected to the council in 1979 representing the Bandley Hill ward.

A year later he successfully stood in Monkswood, lost when he stood in Mobbsbury in 1984 but got back on the council the following year at a by-election in Roebuck.

Mr Dunnell defended his seat there six times. He decided not to stand for re-election in 2004. He served on a variety of committees including leisure services, taxi licensing, environment and development.

He worked for many years as a long-distance lorry driver for British Aerospace and also as a taxi driver.

Council leader Sharon Taylor said: "Brian Dunnell served his town faithfully as a councillor for nearly 25 years.

"Brian was mayor of Stevenage during our 50th anniversary year, and with his wife Eva by his side he pulled the whole town together as a family to celebrate our significant milestone. Brian's many friends throughout the town, at the council and especially in Roebuck will miss him.